An older home is a thing of beauty, with architectural features and an attention to detail that you just don’t see any more. Unfortunately, their age often means they have problems. Even though the structure is still sound, outdated lines can lead to many of the top common plumbing problems in old houses.

1. Obsolete Piping

Building codes change as advances in mechanical design create safe, more efficient materials. Older homes can contain original piping, which may be worn out, if not unsafe.

Lead pipe

Found in waste pipe and the solder in copper supply piping, lead can severely hamper the development of children and cause health problems in adults. The use of lead in piping wasn’t completely banned in the United States until 1987.

Galvanized pipe

Galvanized iron pipes coated with zinc are common in mid-century homes and older. While they’re safe, they can cause havoc when they become very old and brittle. As they fall apart, they rust in place, causing clogs that are hard to remove.

Polybutylene

These plastic pipes break down easily when exposed to water treatment chemicals used in most public water processes. You’ll find them in homes built in the 1980s and 1990s, and they should be replaced before they burst and cause property damage.

Orangeburg sewer pipe

Orangeburg sewer pipe was made from wood pulp, and you may find it in midcentury homes built between 1945 and 1972. Unsurprisingly, these paper-based sewer lines have a higher deterioration rate than any other type.

2. Root Intrusion

Older homes usually have older landscaping. While that’s often a big selling point, it also means the trees planted when the home was built have discovered sewer lines and started mining them for nutrients. This can clog and damage your sewer line.

3. Bellied Pipes

When a house moves and shifts over time, the pipes installed below can become ‘bellied.” When they migrate downward, it can result in a negative slope, which restricts water flow. Depending on how it was installed, it can cause continual clogs and the seepage of sewage into your foundation.

4. Amateur Repairs

The longer a home has been around, the higher the chance that one of the homeowners has decided to DIY a plumbing repair. Sometimes, we don’t know when to step back and hand a job over the pros.

Addressing the Top 4 Common Plumbing Problems In Old Houses

Many people feel that older homes are more comfortable. Others love period designs, like Craftsman or Victorian homes. Whether they’re historic or just cozy, these homes deserve to have their usefulness preserved.

Bad plumbing isn’t mere cosmetics. Plumbing emergencies can result in property damage that can sometimes never be remediated. Don’t let your older home fall victim to time.

Make an appointment today with your local plumbing pros at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Pleasantville. They can inspect your home for obsolete piping, root intrusion, or one of the other common plumbing problems in old houses.